Bringing Down EpiPen Costs

Amid recent controversy about the skyrocketing price of EpiPens—potentially life-saving medical devices designed to stop a severe allergic reaction—the manufacturer has taken steps to reduce costs for health care consumers. First, on August 25, 2016, in a move many considered "too little," Mylan announced it would lower out-of-pocket expenses and co-payments for certain insured patients, based on income and insurance, and would increase the number of uninsured patients eligible for free EpiPens.

Another epinephrine injector—Adrenaclick—as well as a generic version, is currently available in the U.S., but supplies are limited and the manufacturer is not able to produce it in large enough quantities. Additional options may also be on the horizon, but an FDA ruling delayed marketing of a competitor's auto-injection device until at least 2017.

Diane is a Senior Content Producer at Remedy Health Media. She writes the Daily Dose for HealthCentral and is the editorial director at HealthCommunities. Her goal is to contribute to a valuable, trustworthy, and informative experience for people who are searching for health information online.